Joe Sanders joined the DRC staff in October as the new Community Engagement Manager.  He brings to our organization 35 years' experience in marketing, public relations and fund-raising in a variety of non-profit human services, healthcare and higher education settings.  Most recently he served as Director of Marketing and Communications for Lutheran Community Services Northwest for 15 years.  A native of Northwest Montana, Joe holds a degree in Television Production from Montana State University.  He and his wife, Diane, lived and worked in Seattle, the Tri-Cities, New Zealand and, most recently, India, before moving to Olympia earlier this year.

Elaine Vradenburgh, the DRC's Community Engagement Manager for the past five years, has founded Window Seat Media, a non-profit that nurtures "stories that build resilience, identity, and connection."  

"Elaine spearheaded tremendous growth in our fundraising and marketing activities in her time here," notes Evan Ferber, the DRC's retiring Executive Director.  "Besides coordinating the annual Toast event, she broadened our use of social media, was instrumental in grant writing, updated the DRC's branding, and so much more.  We're very grateful for her many contributions to our mission and wish her all the best in her new venture."

"As we say farewell to Elaine, we're excited to welcome Joe as a new member of the DRC family.  He and our new executive director, Jody Suhrbier (who starts her job on December 1st), will be part of a dynamic team leading the DRC into our next 25 years!"

​Well-wishers filled the Woman's Club of Olympia on the evening of Saturday, November 5th, to honor Evan Ferber, the DRC's founder and guiding light, who is retiring at the end of December.  Memories, songs, poems, hugs and laughs were shared - and copious amounts of delicious pie and ice cream were consumed.  
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Thank You, Evan, for your tireless efforts to spread the seeds of 
peace-making and your legacy of service to our community!